Home based business – personal training rates
I am a new certified personal trainer in the Houston area and plan to train out of the gym we have built at our home. The gym is nicely equipped with many options; free weights, TRX, Body Solid Machine, Bands/Tubes, Bosu/exercise balls, Livestrong recumbent bike, elliptical trainer, etc. I have trained for over 10 years with personal trainers and recently decided to make a career of it because I have such a passion for it. I am curious what others with home personal training businesses charge. I understand that experience, location, specialty, etc all play a factor but I would like to get a feel for what others are charging. Also what type of packages you offer, if any. Thanks for any suggestions!
Hi Kerry. In reality, you already know what you need to know about personal training rates. Within your question is your answer. First and foremost as the saying goes with real estate ‘location, location, location’ this also pertains to training rates. Your best source of this information is going to be what other Houston-based trainers charge. Within those fees, as you correctly point out, variations will depend on experience, education, and specialty to mention a few factors.
Try to canvass some of your local trainers and then base your pricing on what you find out. This may not be the ‘direct’ answer that you are seeking here, but I think it will give you a much better basis and justification for whatever rates you settle on than what trainers in California, DC or whatever area your answers may come in from here.
Good luck!
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
As a new Trainer you can offer lower more competitive rates. Also, in home training overhead will be lower. If you’re in the Houston Metropolitan Area you can be a little bit more on the competitive pricing end. However, service dictates price. Are you the Trainer that gives $30 worth of support or $100? How access able are you? How current is your education? How diverse is your background? All these are basic pricing factors. Also, what are people willing to pay. I always feel like a safe range for new trainers is metropolitan areas is 80-55 depending on session length and number of sessions purchased. Hope this helps. Email me if you think I can be of any more assistance.
Hi Kerry. That’s quite a wide range for in-home training fees ($30 – $200). What I would recommend is taking a look at what each of these fee levels purports to offer for those prices and see where you and your services fit in there. Keep in mind that whatever ‘initial’ pricing you settle on can ALWAYS be changed at some later date. Set a price that you are comfortable with and that will provide you adequate return on your investment and see what response you get.
Another thought would be to offer a price as a “special” and see how potential clients respond to that pricing. You can always ‘end’ or ‘extend’ the special offer as you see fit.
Good luck Kerry! I had an in-home studio for years and LOVED it!
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
Hi Kerry,
You have some great responses here. If your area can support trainers that charge up to $200/hr then you might want to go somewhere in between. You said you have 10 years of training experience, so that is a great plus for you to use as a justification to charge a high rate. Many great trainers are in the range of $70-$100/hr (I have hard time justifying someone who charges $200/hr), so you might want to start around that range. Don’t be afraid to charge what you think you are worth. Also, your price would determine the type of clients you will attract. The higher range will mostly attract clients who can and will pay for your services and most likely continue to train with you because money might not be an issue for them. If you want to target clients on the lower range, then price your services accordingly.
I hope this helps!
Best,
Harris